"I'm Kento Bento"
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If McDonald's were a country, it's revenue would make it the 105th largest economy in the world
surpassing the GDP of Estonia, Cambodia & Afghanistan.
The number of McDonald's employees worldwide would be more than the entire population of
Iceland, Barbados and Samoa.
It's a big company, but it wasn't always that way.
McDonald's was founded on May 15th, 1940 in San Bernardino, California
that's over 77 years ago
and has since expanded to a 120 countries and territories around the world
serving 68 million customers each day.
It took 27 years for the first McDonald's to appear outside of the US
and 31 years to make it's way to a second continent.
This continent was Asia, and in this video
I'm going to take you through the next 46 years of McDonald's' Asian ascension.
So, which Asian country was the FIRST to open a McDonald's?
What did McDonalds have to sacrifice in order compete with local markets?
And how much of Asia is there still left to conquer, as of today?
We'll get into all of that, so grab a double cheeseburger (maybe some fries)
and we'll explore every Asian country to have ever had a McDonald's.
Welcome...to McAsia.
The first Asian McDonald's opened it's doors in Tokyo, Japan on July 21st, 1971
beating the first ever European McDonald's in Zaandam, Netherlands, by only one month.
This was made possible by Den Fujita, a wealthy Japanese entrepreneur,
the FIRST Asian McDonald's franchisee, and the founder of McDonald's Japan.
Fujita had revised the menu to include such classics as the Teriyaki McBurger and Chicken Tatsuta
which helped with the brand's initial success in Japan.
He also renamed the mascot 'Ronald McDonald' to 'Donald McDonald'
due to the difficulties Japanese people have with pronouncing R and L sounds.
The expansion of McDonald's has often been seen as a symbol of globalisation,
helping spread the American way of life,
which actually makes Den Fujita's involvement particularly fascinating.
During World War 2, Fujita's father and two sisters were killed by American forces in bombing raids.
Despite this, when Fujita made his way to America in 1967
and stepped foot in a McDonald's restaurant for the first time,
he was amazed and inspired by the whole American fast food experience.
Now, this is all fine and well, but there's one part of the initial history of McDonald's Japan
that the company might wanna keep hidden because in 1971
Den Fujita's marketing strategy involved the following statement:
"The reason Japanese people are so short and have yellow skins is because they have eaten nothing...
but fish and rice for two thousand years....
If we eat McDonald's hamburgers and potatoes [fries] for a thousand years we will become taller...
our skin white, and our hair blonde."
yeah...
This actually happened.
Anyway, moving on.
Four years later, in 1975, McDonalds expanded to Causeway Bay in Hong Kong.
Since then, McDonald's Hong Kong has set records for having some of the busiest and jam-packed
McDonalds outlets in the world.
Note that Hong Kong got its first McDonald's restaurant before mainland China
but more on that later.
In 1979, McDonald's landed in Orchard Road, Singapore.
The first McDonald's in Southeast Asia.
As of the making of this video, McDonald's Singapore is home to the global chain's oldest employee.
Goh Gwek Eng is a 93 year old great-grandmother with 10 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren
and she continues to labor over a hot fryer, diligently working in one of Singapore's busy city outlets.
She says she plans to keep working for as long as she's healthy.
1981 saw the arrival of McDonald's, or should I say 'McDo' as it's colloquially called,
to the Philippines.
One of the more popular items on the menu here is McSpaghetti
which is often served with fried chicken.
A year later in 1982, McDonald's opened it's first outlet in a Muslim-majority country
in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Just like many of the countries I'll be getting into, they serve halal food.
That is food permissible according to Islamic law.
So, Allah's name must be pronounced during slaughter, the animal slit at the throat,
and the carcass completely drained of blood.
As many of you know, pork is also forbidden.
In 1984, Taiwan opened it's first McDonald's in Taipei.
Here it seems very little is forbidden, as you can see from the cosplay culture
of McDonald's staff during the holiday seasons.
Come here if you want your Chicken McNuggets served by a Super McSaiyan.
Thailand is the next to welcome McDonald's, opening their first outlet in Bangkok.
According to Ray Williams who's eaten McDonalds in over 34 countries
McDonald's Thailand is the best one he's had.
Now, this video isn't just about East or Southeast Asia as some of you might be thinking
I'll soon be going over South, West, and even North Asia
and if you're unsure of which countries are considered part of Asia
at least according to the international community
you can check out my video series on Asian borders.
Ok, this sets the scene for the first McDonald's in the Middle East.
In 1986, McDonald's Turkey was born, starting with an outlet in Istanbul.
Here, you'll find some Middle Eastern-inspired menu items like the Turkish Breakfast Set
and the Double Köfteburger.
As for the rest of West Asia, well it'll still be some time before McDonald's really
makes it's presence known in the region.
Back to the east, and five months later, Macau, which at the time was a Portuguese territory,
got it's first taste of McDonald's.
Interestingly enough, you could also consider this the first Portuguese McDonald's as at the time
Portugal itself had yet to open a McDonald's restaurant.
Although, this would go on to happen four years later.
In 1988, McDonald's went...
OPPA GANGNAM STYLE
with South Korea opening it's first McDonald's in the Gangnam District of Seoul.
McDonald's South Korea is also the first Asian McDonald's to sell alcohol, namely beer.
As the 90's rolled around, so did the Russians.
The collapse of the Soviet Union happened in 1991, but as for the year before
McDonald's had opened it's first outlet in Pushkin Square, Moscow
currently one of the largest McDonald's in the world.
I know many of you would associate Russia with Europe, but it is the ONLY country in North Asia.
So, of course I had to include it.
As for the first McDonald's in Siberia - the actual ASIAN side of Russia
the remote conditions there made the logistics of supply extremely complicated.
Opening a McDonald's in Siberia did not seem possible.
At least, not yet.
However, it certainly was possible for nearby China.
The first Chinese McDonald's opened in Shenzhen, October 1990.
Here 'Ronald McDonald' is often called 'Uncle McDonald'.
Currently, McDonald's is quite popular in China, however there's still a long way to go
especially when compared to KFC, the top foreign fast food chain in the country.
In 1991, the Golden Arches arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The McDonald's here is known for having more rice-centric items
including the local chicken porridge dish, Bubur Ayam.
1992 saw Brunei welcomed the fast food giant to it's capital.
Despite having operated in the country for over 14 years
McDonald's Brunei has only ever had TWO restaurants in it's history.
A slow growth especially when compared to other countries.
A year later, McDonald's began it's great Middle East expansion
with it's first stop in Israel.
The McDonald's here is known for being the healthiest McDonald's in the world
with the use of light canola oil, excess of vegetables, and reduced fat content in their meat.
Patties are also barbecued on charcoal rather than fried, and many of the branches are kosher.
To avoid confusion, Kosher branches are blue and white instead of the trademark yellow and red.
This redesign is one of the more radical departures we've ever seen from the company.
McDonald's Israel has also garnered controversy over the years for stating that they would
not open restaurants in the contentious regions of The West Bank and Golan Heights
a long-term policy of theirs to not operate a McDonald's across the pre-1967 borders.
This demarcation line was set out in the 1949 Armistice Agreements after the First Arab-Israeli War.
Now, less controversial, but perhaps more bizarre, is what happened recently in Saudi Arabia.
McDonald's Saudi Arabia took out a full page ad in a Saudi national newspaper
swearing loyalty to the new crown prince.
The first McDonald's in Saudi Arabia had opened in Riyadh, just two months after Israel
the first in the Arabian Peninsula
and even though dissent is almost unheard of in this monarchal society
it's still kinda strange that a fast food corporation feels the need to be so vocal
in their support of a newly ordained royal.
1994 to 1995 saw the mass continuation of this regional expansion
with Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates and Qatar all experiencing McDonald's for the very first time.
In 1996, McDonald's arrived in Delhi, India - this time the very first in South Asia.
Here, the McDonald's is something quite unique and different
actually, with religious-based food taboos and a strong vegetarian tradition, it HAD to be.
McDonald's India is the first to have no beef or pork on its menus
No beef for the Hindus and no pork for the Muslims
There's still chicken and fish though, and many options for vegetarians.
In fact, India is the first country in the world to open a vegetarian-only McDonald's.
Some vegetarian options you'll find are the McAloo Tikki Burger
which has a spiced potato-&-pea-based filling (this one's super popular)
and the McSpicy Paneer - paneer being a type of soft Indian cheese.
Incase you're wondering, the Big Mac equivalent in India is the Maharaja Mac
"MAHARAJAAA!"
Next up, we return to West Asia with Jordan, Cyprus and Lebanon all joining the McDonald's family.
When I say Cyprus however, I mean of course the Republic of Cyprus
not the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus which lacks international recognition as a state
in fact it's recognized by only ONE UN member state (I'm sure you can guess which one).
So, McDonald's does not exist in Northern Cyprus
you can't get a cheeseburger, you can't get a Big Mac... actually,
you can eat AT a Bigmac, however - that's Bigmac one word
a chain of fake McDonald's restaurants that have set up shop in the North.
Not surprisingly, McDonald's Corporate Headquarters have only recognised the ones in THIS country.
But then....
maybe not?
McDonald's Pakistan was the next to open, with an outlet in Lahore.
McDonald's was now starting to make it's presence known in South Asia
and sure there were many who were quite happy about it.
But you know who wasn't happy.... these guys.
When another branch opened in the city of Quetta
which happened to be the home of the Taliban's ruling council
well the Islamist militants... weren't lovin' it.
After some Taliban members sampled burgers and Chicken McNuggets from the American fast food chain
they proclaimed their displeasure and disapprovall of the taste.
They said they didn't even consider it food.
Which may actually be the first time some of you... agree with the Taliban.
A month after opening in Pakistan, Sri Lanka followed suit with their first outlet in Colombo.
We've already heard from one self-proclaimed McDonald's expert claiming Thailand did it the best
but for James McGowan who's eaten McDonald's in 53 countries
he claimed it is in fact McDonald's Sri Lanka that tops the rest.
His favourite item on the menu is the seeni sambol sandwich - a carefully folded egg omelette
filled with cheese, peppery mayo, fried red onions, and a sweet & spicy onion relish.
Not gonna lie... that sounds kinda good.
1999 saw McDonald's arrive smack dab in the Caucasus with Georgia and Azerbaijan getting their first tastes.
Respectively Tibilisi and Baku.
Currently, there's a McDonald's location in Batumi, Georgia
that's known for it's architectural beauty and achievement.
Arguably the chain's most exquisite outlet.
Now, seven years went by before McDonald's once again made waves in a new Asian country.
In 2006, Iraq got it's first McDonald's.
Actually, first and ONLY McDonald's.
In fact, this outlet wasn't even for the general public.
It was created to serve only the US Army who were stationed in Baghdad, so....
not sure if it should actually count.
But don't feel too bad for the locals, because just like with Bigmac (one word)
Iraqis are still free to try... MaDonal, located in Iraqi Kurdistan.
As we start nearing the present time, there are only a few Asian countries left.
But before we get to them, let's go back to Russia, namely the Asian side of Russia.
Up until now, Siberians had to cross over to the European side if they were to ever try
a Биг Мак.
But in 2013, McDonald's finally expanded to this remote region
having sorted out the logistics of it once and for all.
Now ALL Russians can have McDonald's
"McFood is..is a shit.
Kills us slowly"
- SOME Russians can have McDonald's.
In 2014, Vietnam joined the party with a branch in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnamese people traditionally eat more pork and chicken
so it was interesting to see if Vietnamese tastes would give way to beef patties and fries.
Add to that a McDonald's value meal costs as much as several bowls of phở
my pronunciation sucks
As of now, the answer to that remains unclear, as it's still early days.
Which leads us to, finally, Kazakhstan.
Certainly early days here as well, as McDonald's had only just entered that market in 2016
with a restaurant in Astana - and, if you've been keeping count
this is actually the first outlet in Central Asia.
Initially, there were murmurings that McDonald's Kazakhstan was going to cater to it's national cuisine
which many took to mean McHorse burgers, and Pony McNuggets
but this turned out to be a miscommunication - nothing more, than a fantasy.
like unicorns.
And with that, we've just covered every Asian country to ever have a McDonald's.
So has McDonald's conquered Asia?
Well, maybe... depends on how you define it
but certainly THESE Asian countries may argue against it.
Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, Afghanistan, Iran,
Yemen, Syria, Armenia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia.....
and North Korea.
There's something called 'the Golden Arches Theory of Conflict Prevention' that states...
"No two countries that have McDonald's franchises, have ever gone to war with each other
since each got it's McDonald's."
Apparently, the reason for this correlation is because once a country has reached
an economic development where it has a strong-enough middle class to support a McDonald's network
it no longer has the interest to fight wars.
Countries that have made strong economic ties with one another, have too much to lose.
There are perhaps a few inconsistencies with this theory, depending on what one considers "a war"
but as a general rule, there could be something to it.
And if it IS true, whether you love McDonald's or not
you gotta wish for the day that McDonald's North Korea becomes a reality
How's this for a tie-in?
So here we have a cheeseburger, a coke and the un-spillable Mighty Mug.
This is the mug that supposedly won't fall over.
I'm not buyin' it, let's test it out.
Oh god...
I'm actually terrified
Ok, let's get this ready
That's why I got McDonald's, Nina - to test this out!
Ok, so what's that... - why the cheeseburger?
Ready?
ready?
yeah
oh my god
Ok it works
It grips to your desk when you try to knock it down
but it lifts naturally when you wanna take a sip.
They call this SmartGrip Technology.
was that good?
If you check out their website, you can choose from a wide selection of mugs and cups
whatever suits your needs.
Wok power!
...ok
If you want your own Mighty Mug - check out the link in the description below.
And if you want to know the 10 reasons why "Asian's don't get fat"
you can find that out by clicking the video on top
otherwise click the one below if you prefer something else.
I hope you enjoyed this topic, and if you have any questions or thoughts
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